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Ask Wil Wheaton Anything
Wil Wheaton [IMDB] is our latest interview victim. Best known here as Wesley Crusher on TNG, Wil has a history doing movies both good (Stand by Me) and, uh, otherwise (see his FAQ). His movie
"The Good Things" just won the grand prize at the 27th Festival of American Cinema at Deuville. His currrent project is "Jane White Is Sick & Twisted". Post your questions for him here, one per post, and we'll forward a few of the highest rated ones to Wil.
To turn the table on you, what is your take on the question?
Do you thing the Python programming-language is Sixty Feet of Pure Terror, too? (I mean, this is Slashdot, afterall!)
In your FAQ, there is a question about Ashley Judd:
"Is it true that you were really Ashley Judd's first onscreen kiss, and you ruined her for the rest of her life?"
To which you reply:
"Yep. It is 100% true. Ashley Judd played Robin Lefler, in the episode "The Game", and Uncle Willie went to bootytown"
Now, let's be clear here. You "knew" her in a biblical sense?
Seeing as how she is one of the most attractive and emotional actresses in Hollywood, what was the experience like back then?
Just wanted some clarification..
GPL'd web-based tradewars themed space game
Thanks, I enjoy alot of your work.
Wil,
I loved the TNG Marathon played on TNN..the first time I ever watched the network for more than 15 seconds. The character segments in between were great too, but why on Earth did they make all of you run on that stupid treadmill? It was so distracting...and watching Michael Dorn get out of breathe wasn't exactly funny.
Favorite
As one of the ultra-rare individuals who actually really enjoyed your character, I have had some questions over the years.
Questions like:
Did you ever get to see Marina Sirtis (Deanna Troy) nude?
Was there any behind the scenes booty-calls between cast members that you are comfortable releasing?
How difficult is it for a new actor to get a recurring role on a Star Trek series 'generally'?
More importantly to me..
Would you ever do a movie with Bruce Campbell? If so, have you let him and his people know?
And finally,
I know you were happy to leave the show, and I am glad you retained your integrity and ability to do what you wanted. However, I have often wondered, did you like the WAY you were written off the show?
GPL'd web-based tradewars themed space game
After getting your fingers burned with the abortive Sandman project in conjunction with Roger Avery, are there are other superhero projects you would consider taking on?
We all can look up your various roles on the web. What kind of roles people attempt to cast you for? Are there any movies that you especially would like to have been in, or possibly in the future?
This sig isn't original enough, it's time to come up with something witty...
As you mentioned on your FAQ page, the Wesley Crusher character from TNG was target of some not very complementary jokes. But are there any Wesley Crusher jokes that you liked ?
I liked your brief appearance in the Sprite commercial
Don't blame me - I voted for Howard Dean. http://dean2004.blogspot.com
How does it feel to have wilwheaton.net slashdotted? But seriously, would you ever, ever, ever do a Star Trek anything again, even if its just 10 seconds to get shot to make sure you'll never appear again? Not sure how you'd get written back in though.
It always fascinates me, the hatred male trekkies have towards Wil Wheatons character. Now I think I understand why: I watched TNG during my early teens and I always envied his character, I would have killed to be in his characters situation! And I think thats where all this hatred comes from. Instead of looking like a dweeb, they express distaste for him. Also he basically portrayed most of our lives: An above average male teenager who was never appreciated for his abilites by his role models (Especially Picard). This kind of reminds me a bit of the whole Jar Jar thing...
If you're not man enough to admit your envy, then please don't try to satisfy your ego by expressing hate.
To Wes: Great job on TNG....wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.
Kaypro...
Eddy.WriteLinux.Com
On your homepage you mention that you once worked for NewTek during their development or initial release of the Video Toaster. I've always been curious to know how you got the job there and what you exactly did for them? Did you ever own an Amiga prior to working at NewTek?
I'm curious about the Star Trek fan circuit - convention appearances and all. Do you actually make some decent money on them or is it more of a favor to the fans? Does Paramount ever pressure the actors to attend events to promote the franchise? And is there a camaraderie between actors from different series, people who otherwise haven't worked with each other?
When did you first hear of the classic usenet group, alt.ensign.wesley.crusher.die.die.die, and what was your reaction?
I'm not a smorgasbord.
You worked at the animation software shop NewTek
for a while. What did you do there? Do you thing you'll get back into tech again someday?
Wil,
You have made comments to the effect of poo-poo'ing celebrity opinions about issues in general. Yet in your blogs, you spend a lot of time discussing politics, and you make no bones about which side of the isle you favor. As someone in the public spotlight - and especially as someone in the geek spotlight (being a celeb that has your own self-coded web site) - do you consider it a duty of sorts to be an activist? Does being a celeb bring any more responsibility over the common, first-amendment-empowered citizen in voicing your opinion? Also, do you feel that you have qualities above and beyond other Hollywood celebrities that makes it important that you share your feelings?
Thanks,
dk
Acts 17:28, "For in Him we live, and move, and have our being."
According to the log it's for real. Wil has even admitted to it.
john
I've always wanted to know whether or not Wil was even asked to do an episode of Star Trek Voyager. That series could have used a good episode about the Traveler and Wesley. I would think the idea could have popped up in some writers' heads.
You seem to know a lot about music. How big is your collection? What are your favorite bands? What is Radio Free Burrito and what do you think of broadcasting live?
How to Download YouTube Videos
You've played one of the most despised characters in the history of science fiction; do you have any advice for Jar Jar as to how he should handle the rancor of obnoxious fans?
BTW, congrats on moving beyond Wesley and having what looks like an interesting career. In the end, you've done better than some other cast members of ST:TNG! At least you're not narrating alien autopsy videos... ;)
All about me
You seem to be a pretty talented person. What made you choose acting as a career? Ever had any regrets?
... about the SSSCA, and the DMCA, how do you, as a producer, view these ideas of 'media industry law' as we have come to call it?
What are your opinions, agreements, and disagreements with these bills that are passed?
Many people have compared Wesley Crusher to Adric on the Dr. Who. In both cases, the character was reviled because of the way the writers handled him. What are your thoughts on this? How would you recommend an actor handle this sort of situation in the future?
www.eFax.com are spammers
PS: I happen to like the Wesley character (aside from his final episode, which was lame), so there!
--GrouchoMarx
Card-carrying member of the EFF, FSF, and ACLU. Are you?
I noticed a post of yours a few weeks ago on one of the star trek: enterprise stories and was sorta surprised. I'd never thought I'd see a post by a celebrity on slashdot, or at least a celebrity that identified themself. I didn't think it was real, until I went to your webpage and saw that you were a fellow geek. I read quite a bit of your site and found a lot of it interesting. I'd have to say, you have great taste in music.
My question to you is:
How often have you gotten first post?
Are you the gloating first poster, or just the simple "first post, 'nuff said" kinda first poster?
Wil,
You mention in this LA Times article that you dumped Linux for Windows because
"While I'm a champion of open source, I don't think Linux is there yet"
Was there a specific bug in Linux that prompted you to dump it, or was it just the entire operating system?
Thanks!
While this may seem way off the wall, please give me a moment.
Kirk Russell, on the commentary to the Big Trouble in Little Chinia DVD, talks about how his trip down the elevator on the way to confront "the ultimate evil spirit" has generated more comments then any other. Fans are always quoting back lines from that scene, particularly in elevators.
Here is the question. Are there particlar lines from one of your roles that fans repeat back to you? Which role do people most often identify you with when they see you in the real world? If you could change this defining moment to an alternate scene or line, what would it be and why?
~~ What's stopping you?
Stolen from the ain't it cool interview:
I like things that are traditionally nerdy, like role playing games.
So what do you play? How often? Ever try Over the Edge? If so, what did you think of OTE?
~~ What's stopping you?
Really, did you have any dignity while you were wearing that thing? I mean, come on. A rainbow strip across the front of your Fedaration jumpsuit. Did you at least complain?
Why bother.
I remember back when TNG first came out, Cheerios ran a promotion on the back of the cereal box that let you enter a drawing to be a guest star on the show. At the time I was 8 years old, and winning that contest was pretty much the goal of my life. Since losing the contest, my dreams have been shattered and I shake uncontrollably whenever I see a Cheerios box.
My question: Do you remember who won the contest? Was he/she cool? Did he/she actually make it into an episode?
Gdarn Moderators on crack, how is this OffTopic? Krelboyne, Ive got karma to burn - Ill re-post for you.
I took my copy of Titus Andronicus (Anthony Hopkins) to a friend's house this weekend, and we all remarked at how this story of the consequences of unthinking violence has tremendous bearing on recent world events.
I also remember hearing Joseph Campbell in one of his many lectures state that the artist has a responsibility to set the moral tone for the culture.
I have seen you in a number of your roles (the last being The Invisible Man if I am not mistaken), and while your parts have great entertainment value, they do not IMHO have much to say about fundamental aspects of the human condition.
Is this an avenue that you might want to explore in your career, even at the cost of financial liquidity?
A few years ago you responded to the question of, "Why are there no gay people represented on Star Trek?" And your response was something along the lines of in the future homosexuality will be cured. Star Trek TOS was one of the first television shows to display a diversified cast of characters working together in harmony on television during a time period when many minds were closed to such matters of acceptance. Upon reflection of this comment do you still feel this way today?
Your weblog is neither a celebrity weblog nor a purely geek weblog, but is rahter a postmodern meta-commentary on many phenomena, including celebrity and technology.
How has having this weblog changed 1) your daily life, 2) your views of technology, and 3) your views of celebrity?
Goat sex free since 2001
I assume you've learned to handle the celebrity-side of "Ohhh - he was on Star Trek" by now but how does it affect you in your day-to-day life, particularly when you've been involved in the high-tech industry?
Does it ever get to be annoying when folks get fixated on your former role? Do you ever take advantage of it and get invited to events you wouldn't be otherwise? How about bring it up when dealing with phone-support ("If I can fix a dilithium interociter & phase through space I can be trusted with the ntp server address!".) How about vendors, try and get new gear out of shops: "But I'm Wil Wheaton, y'know, Wesley from Star Trek - it'd be great PR for you if I said I bought my Whizbang2000 at your store so howzabout it half-off and with that sweet wireless card thown in?"
Or is it you just make headlines when you slap a Beverly Hills cop ("Nooo mooore Beverly!...")
I don't read ACs: If a post isn't worth so much as a nom de plume to its author then I wont bother either.
Since you're part of Hollywood and somewhat of a geek (if you really are 'CleverNickName') here's the thing:
...
;-)
Would you be interested in becoming a (scifi/hollywoood/?) contributor to Slashdot (a la Jon Katz)? I'm sure you could get lots of exclusives from Paramount, actor friends etc
.. assuming of course you're prepared to be a lightning rod for all the Katz-haters cum Wesley-haters
You were great in The Curse and Stand By Me.
I also did like your character on Star Trek TNG.
I have to admit that after a while, like most, got really cheesed at your character but it's not your fault you were playing a boy genius.
You represented the next generation of star trek actors. How come you are not casted in the star trek movies? Are we going to ever see you back on board the enterprise?
"If a show of teeth is not enough, bite
Did you have a technical inclination prior to STTNG? Did you become more/less interested in tech from your ST experience? If so, in what ways?
Were there any regular cast members you got along with particularly well?
Were there any who you constantly butted heads with?
What characteristics of Wesley are completely unlike you, and vice versa?
Happiness is relative, Based upon the way we live.
Well, ok, I knew that there would be a bunch of ST:TNG-related questions on here because, well, we're a bunch of geeks. So here's something kind of related to Trek, but more along the lines of show biz...
/. just ate wilwheaton.net)
What sort of problems have you had, if any, with typecasting, and what did you do to break those? I would imagine you could get pidgeonholed into the "brainy adolescent" or "anything sci-fi" parts and productions, especially with the mythical proportions that Trek can get to within the industry (positive and negative).
(And BTW, your little spot on TNN is funny.)
(And I think
- emilio
neurostyle dot net - it's all in your head
Most popcorn movies these days have big holes in their script, be it plot-wise or technology-wise.
:-)
While it sometimes works to abandon logic or science (Armageddon comes to mind), this trend seems to backfire more and more often (Godzilla comes to mind, a movie that even Roger Ebert dissed for its science goofs).
How come that the way technology or science is depicted on screen (computers, technology, sci-fi) hardly ever gets proofread in Hollywood scripts? You seem to be a tech-nerd - do you ever correct something in a script? (If you know a script-writer who needs a proofreader, give him my e-mail address
2nd question: Do you think that having been a member of the Trek franchise was good or bad for your career? I'm a big trek fan, yet it often amuses me how Trek actors can consider themselves superstars in the Trek world, but nobodies outside.
I often feel sorry for the dead-end careers that it meant for Nichelle Nichols or DeForest Kelley. I often wonder when I will finally see the TNG actors in bigger roles. (Don't tell me that Brent Spiner's recent work was a stellar career. Why doesn't he get better roles? Or Marina Sirtis? Or almost any other Trek actor?)
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You're a well-known, established actor; but I guess you won't take this as an insult if I don't call you a superstar. So you're not yet in the position to choose all your projects and be granted every wish you have about a script.
So, I always wondered how actors choose their scripts - what is your job like when you're not acting?
What kind of scripts do you get offered? What silly (or not silly) scripts did you turn down? Can you talk about roles or projects that you were chosen for and then it didn't work out?
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You may like my a cappella music
Years ago, I heard some stories that said you were outspokenly antigay. The story went that you held gays in contempt for religious reasons, resented speculation about your own sexual interests, and endured friction with two allegedly gay actors on the ST:TNG set -- Brent Edwards and Michael Dorn. Note: I never saw substantiation for rumors about your attitude, religion, or the sexual orientation of any cast member. (I'm frankly not enough of a Trek fan to care. :) )
Yet I see here that you said the following regarding homosexuals: "I'm sorry that I don't play ball with your team...but I always cheer for you when I'm in the stands."
Could you clarify your feelings about homosexuality, past and present? Many thanks,
--
Tom Geller
Alright, we all know about the Anti-terrorism bill that Congress approved last week. But what about the RIAA's hacking ammendment they tried to add to it? Do you have any opinions on the subject of MP3's or hacking? And how do you feel about what they tried to pull over on us?
no signature required
Being a science-fiction fan, what is your opinion of Babylon 5? Did you watch it? If so, how do you compare its writing, originality, and special effects with the Trek-of-the-Day? Did you want to make an appearance on the show?
:)
I know Babylon 5's run was near the time you were driven out of Florida by the "pigs-in-a-blanket-fiasco" so you may not have gotten the chance to see it.